Monday, September 22, 2008

Forest Canopy Shawl, or V for (Possible) Vendetta...

As I have stated before, I am a huge fan of the leaf motif, and by extension, anything within the semantic field conjured up by the word 'tree'. There is little doubt in my mind that I was initially attracted to this pattern because of the name. Who doesn't want to feel under the majestic, sheltering arms of a forest canopy? And now that I think about it, I likely chose the shade of Malabrigo 'acorn' in order to continue with the same theme. That's just how my mind works, and explains why I will never, ever do the Lizard Ridge pattern, because to be on a ridge and confronted by a lizard is possibly one of the most negative scenarios I could possibly imagine. Even linking to it gives me the creeps.One thing I know about myself and my shawl enthusiasm, is that I am a fan of the shawl provided that it not be done in lace weight yarn. I am a proponent of the sturdy, rugged garment that only dk weight and above can provide. No femme shawls for me, I am all about butching it up a little. And luckily the Malabrigo Silky Merino really delivers in this regard.The SpecsPattern: Forest Canopy Shawl by Susan LawrenceYarn: Malabrigo Silky Merino in Acorn, 2 skeins exactly! Your mileage may vary, ASHLEY.Needles: Size 8 addi turbosTime: about 8 days If you haven't tried a lace pattern, this might be a good initial foray for you. The instructions are exceedingly clear and the result is a lovely little shoulder shawl that in its pre-blocked state, apparently makes an excellent bed for a naughty kitteh...One odd outcome of the yarn and pattern combo here is that there was discoloration in the yarn that lasted for about 40 stitches. I am not quite sure why I didn't think to break the yarn at that point (you know, since I'm so totally on the ball normally), but I left it in, and the end result is a yellow strip on the bottom of the shawl. What's weird is that it is placed in a perfect symmetry and looks like I meant to create the letter 'v'. It's kind of like finding Mother Theresa's face in a cinnamon bun, only better. If only I were named Virginia or Valerie, it would be perfect. Maybe the 'v' stands for vendetta, which is what I will be preparing to mount if I have negative results at the farm show...I never imagined that I would become such a shawl knitting enthusiast, but I must say that I now totally get the appeal. They are tremendously useful garments, and once you get the chart concept down, shawls are quite fun indeed. Of course reading the chart has been aided quite a bit by the use of my Knitpicks magnetic chart holder (one of the only things I've ever liked from that company. Thumbs up for their hardware, bug thumbs down on the yarn). I am in such a shawl frame of mind, that no sooner had I started blocking the Forest Canopy Shawl than I cast on for Kiri with some Llamajama wool/alpaca blend that I bought at Maryland Sheep and Wool, a shawl that might be my favorite pattern yet. Stay tuned...

Beautiful! I actually had my sweaty paws on a few hanks of the silky Malabrigo in my LYS the other day thinking that I would be another copycat. Luckily my better self chimed in and reminded me about the bags of knitting surrounding my chair at home and how buying more yarn would be a REALLY bad idea. I will have to be content with lusting after yours.

BTW, I'm right there with you on the leaf/tree thing. What is it about those motifs?

I love that you "butched" it up. I can't believe that the yarn was flawed like that. But your shawl had better win this year or else... we will know the whole thing is rigged! Oh, as far as KP's goes, I love their needles, but that is it.

I am knitting a very girly shawl in very laceweight yarn right now--it's for someone else and it's sort of getting on my nerves. I don't mind a good shawl in fingering weight, but I think a dk weight yarn for a shawl would make it a really useful garment. I love yours, it's gorgeous...I especially like the v.

It's totally lovely, and I think the little yellow V is great! I have been lusting after the acorn Malabrigo Silky Merino (though I have never seen it in person), and now I know my desires are justified :) ... Kitty certainly appears to agree.

I share your love of the leaf motif, although, I have to admit that I have never knitted it. I need to correct that.

I think the KnitPicks magnetic board is light years ahead of the Pattern Tamer magnet strips. It's too hard to reposition them quickly.

I just finished my first adult sweater (for me!!) in KnitPicks "Wool of the Andes" and I've love knitting with it. My attitude might change after it's worn several times and I experience the dreaded pilling, but I'm trying to be optimistic.

hey! maybe that is why i have yet to knit a shawl. (well, i did one. but i never wear it.) i need to make it a little more butchy! yep. a little more rugged for me too.i really love this shawl. in THAT yarn. with a super cool v motif!

I much prefer the idea of knitting a shawl with dk or heavier. I haven't knit any as of yet and have 2 different skeins of lace should I be so brave as to think about doing a lighter one.I love yours, love the lace pattern in that, I think I could handle it and might have to add it to my fav's for a later date.

Love the shawl - but what's with this lizard antipathy? (Is there a word for a lizard-specific phobia?)Have you thought of aversion therapy? Perhaps you could begin with a non-threatening lizard, on a very small ridge.

It is sooooo gorgeous!!! I am with you on the love of shawl-knitting (though I like doing lace with laceweight as well as DK and worsted). So much fun - and yes to the magnetic chart keeper too. Love it. Also, I am SO with you on the love of all things tree/leaf related. (and I laughed at your Lizard Ridge scenario).